New regulations announced for cosmetic surgeries in England

Ministers have announced stricter rules for cosmetic procedures to protect consumers.

New regulations aim to tame risky cosmetic procedures in England

The UK government has unveiled plans to regulate high-risk cosmetic procedures, particularly targeting liquid Brazilian butt lifts, in a bid to curb unsafe practices. Health Secretary Wes Streeting intends to introduce legislation that will limit the performance of these procedures to qualified healthcare professionals. Currently, there is no licensing requirement for performing such treatments in England, leading to numerous cases of malpractice and severe complications, including permanent injuries and even deaths. The changes propose that only clinics regulated by the Care Quality Commission will be allowed to administer these high-risk procedures. Additionally, lower-risk treatments, like Botox, will soon require local authority licenses. This response follows troubling reports, including a woman's death after a liquid BBL in 2022. While the initial steps are welcomed, further discussion is needed on comprehensive enforcement to protect consumers.

This new regulatory approach signifies a turning point in the governance of cosmetic surgery in England. The acknowledgment of the cosmetic sector as a 'wild west' underscores a long-standing issue of unqualified practitioners preferring quick profits over safety. Critics, however, caution that mere regulations without sufficient enforcement will be meaningless. The proposed changes could represent significant progress, but their success hinges on the government's commitment to adequately resource consumer protection agencies tasked with monitoring these stringent rules. The cosmetic industry's reputation relies on gaining consumer trust, which can only be achieved by ensuring high standards of practice.

Highlights

The beauty industry is about to witness significant changes that could reshape consumer trust and safety.